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The Japanese in Mexico played an important role in the development of modern Mexican nationalism. From the first settlements in 1897 to their ambivalent treatment during the Second World War, Mexican politicians and intellectuals regarded them as members of a successful empire composed of a paradoxical group of people. Although Japan is located in Asia, native Mexicans separated them from other Asian countries and deemed them honorary Western peoples. Quirarte argues that the Mexican celebration of Japan and its diaspora in the first half of the twentieth century helps us understand the concept of Orientalism in the Mexican context, as well as how Japanese Mexicans became part of the Mexican identity, or Mexicanidad. Mexican Orientalism focused less on people's physical features and more on behavior and success of one's country of origin. This understanding of ethno-national categorization of Japanese Mexicans can be seen through different stages of Mexican history, including the late Porfiriato, the Mexican Revolution, the post-revolution decades, and during the country's participation in the Second World War. Admiration and protection of Mexican Nikkei as honorary Mexicans also intensified U.S.-Mexico relations throughout the first half of the twentieth century which led to American interference in Mexican affairs to gather information and vilify Japanese Mexicans. In response, the Mexican government refused to emulate American policies towards the Japanese, rather find methods to protect its Nikkei population even during alliance obligations towards the United States against an expanding Empire of Japan.